Venetian blind tilter



NOV. 28, 1939. NlsENSON 2,181,706

VENETIAN BLIND TILTER v Filed Jan. 17, 1939 "I I H 4'7 25 I I] I]! l7 INVENTOR Ju/J E5 N/SE'NEUN ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 28, 1939 Umrian sraras QFEECE VENETIAN BLIND TILTER Application January 17, 1939, Serial No. 251,399

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to Venetian blinds and more particularly to a tilting mechanism for tilting the slats of the blind.

Among the objects of the present invention 6 is the provision of a unitary tilting mechanism which in the process of construction may be readily modified so that the same may be utilized to actuate a tilt bar from either the left or right side thereof.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a tilting mechanism which is readily actuated either by cord or bead chain, and in which novel means are utilized for the retaining and guiding of said cord or chain in operative conll nection with the main driving pulley thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a tilting mechanism requiring a minimum of parts, which are either stampings or automatic screw machine products and which require a minimum of labor and expense to assemble.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a novel bearing structure for the worm shaft in -a Venetian blind tilter.

A further object herein lies in the provision of structure which is simple, light in weight, strong, efiicient and smooth and full-proof in operation.

These objects and further features and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and as pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, similar reference characters designating throughout the several views in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective showing a first embodiment of the invention. In this view the cord guide is shown in its closed position and the tilter is arranged to drive a tilt bar from the left end thereof. 7

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational View as seen from the right side of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a View taken similarly to Fig. 2 showing the cord guide in an open position.

Fig. 5 is a view taken similarly to Fig. 2 showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 6 on Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 7 on Fig. 2.

Fig.8 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 8 on Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a view taken similarly to Fig. 8 with corresponding parts the cord guide, however, shown in the open position thereof.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of one of the bearings shown in section in Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a bottom plane view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged elevational view of the gear-shaft.

Turning to the first embodiment of the inventicn illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, and 6 to 12 inclusive, the tilting mechanism generally representedby numeral it, is substantially enclosed in a housing ll composed of casing plates I2 and 13. The left casing plate i2 is slightly taller than the right casing plate l3 and both of said plates are each provided with orificed mounting plates M- and i5 respectively. The mounting plate I i is preferably integral with the casing plate l2 and forms an angle of ninety degrees therewith. The mounting plate [5 is preferably integral with the casing plate l3 and forms an angle of ninety degrees therewith. Plates I3 and I5 are preferably connected by a reinforcing portion iii, forming an angle of forty-five degrees with each of said plates. As stated above, the mounting plates is and it are each provided with a pair of orifices i! (see Fig. 11) which are so positioned that they become aligned when the plates l2 and 13 are in operative position. The holes i! may then be penetrated by known screws in order to secure the tilting mechanism Hi to the under surface of a Venetian blind head-bar.

The casing plates l2 and i3 in the upper portion thereof are provided with aligned orifices (Figs. 6 and 7). The rivet l9 serves to maintain the upper portions of the plates 12 and I3 in operative connection. The lower portions of the plates l2 and I3 are maintained in position by the gear shaft 20 as will be more particularly set forth below. The gear 2! is provided with a central rectangular orifice 22 which is of substantially the same size as the exposed portion 23 of the gear shaft 20 which is also rectangular in cross section. The gear carrying portion or hub 25 of the gear shaft 20 is rounded off at the corners thereof to form bearing portions 25. It may thus be seen that with the gear 2! mounted upon the hub 24, the gear is keyed to the gear shaft Ell yet is slidable therealong. The hub 24 is trunnioned in an orifice 26 in the casing plate is while the integral longitudinally extending boss 2'1, circular in cross-section, is rotatably mounted in the orifice 28 in the casing plate l2 (Figs. 6, 7 and 11). Y

The corners of the gear shaft 253 project outwardly fromthe central longitudinal axis of the gear shaft an amount sufiicient so that the smallest distance between any two opposed pairs of corners will be greater than the diameter of the orifice 26. (Fig. 1). The outer end of the boss 27 is spun or swaged over so that the gear shaft acts similarly to a rotatable rivet to maintain the two casing plates i2 and I3 in spaced operative relation. The two casing plates I2 and I3 adjacent the gear shaft 29 are spaced either by the particular formation of the plates themselves (Fig. 8) or by the thickness of the gear 2!. A known angle plate (not shown) having an orifice corresponding to the exposed portion 23 of the gear shaft 29 may be slidably keyed upon said gear shaft and may be suitably affixed to a tilt bar as is known in the Venetian blind art. Rotation of the gear 2! will thus be communicated to the tilt bar of the Venetian blind whereby slats may be tilted as desired, as is well known in the art. A worm shaft 39 is circular in cross-section substantially throughout the length thereof, except the forward end which comprises a head 3| and a rectangular shank portion 32. A pair of concave discs 33 and 34 are provided with rectangular orifices of a size corresponding to the portion 32. With the convex surfaces of the discs 33 and 34 facing each other, these discs are placed over the rear end of the worm shaft 30 and are seated upon the shank portion 32. The corners of the shank portion 32 are spread by a pressing operation which results in securely affixing the discs 33 and 34 to the forward end of p of said plates.

the shaft 39. The middle portion of the shaft 39 is provided with opposed outwardly extending longitudinally directed keys 36 (Fig. 6) which are adapted to engage the bore of the worm 31. It may thus be seen that the concave discs 33 and 34 form apulley 38 which is affixed to the shaft 38 and that the worm is also affixed to the shaft 39 and thereby rotates with said pulley.

The worm shaft 30 is rotatably supported by a pair of eyelet bearings 39 and 49 which are mounted by being engaged by and between the casing plates l2 and I3. The casing plate l2 includes an outwardly extending semi-cylindrical portion 42 and a pair of vertically directed grooves 43 and 44. The casing plate l3 includes an outwardly extending semi-cylindrical portion 45 and a pair of vertically extending grooves 46 and 41. The grooves 43, 44 and 46, 41 are preferably formed by pressing into the sheet stock from which the plates l2 and i3 respectively are fabricated. These grooves thus form beads 48, 49 and 5!), 5i respectively on the exposed surfaces The bearings 39 and 40 are uniform and a description of the bearing 39 will sufiice for both. Bearing 39 (Fig. 10) comprises a central cylindrical portion 52, a narrow peripheral flange 53, a wide peripheral flange 54 having a dished edge 55 extending parallel to the cylindrical portion 52. The edges 55 of the bearings 39 and 49 are each engaged by the grooves 43,

46 and 44, 41 respectively and are securely held in place by the compression of the plates I2 and I3 thereabout caused by the rivet l9 and the gear shaft 29 as has been described above. It may be noted at this point that the grooves 43, 44, 46, 4! and their respective external beads 48, 49, 59 and 5i not only serve to provide a simple and efficient anchorage for the bearings 39 and 49 but also materially aid in stiffening the plates I2 and I3 and also in improving of the external appearance thereof.

A perusal of Fig. 7 shows that the bearings 39 and 40 are prevented from moving longitudinally thus be seen that the bearings 39 and 40 act to continuously position the worm 3? in cooperative engagement with the gear 2! and also prevent undue movement of the pulley 38 toward or away from the front edges of the housing II. The bearings 39 and 49 by reason of their novel eyelet type construction may be made of comparatively light stock yet will possess adequate strength to support the shaft 39 and to properly space the same from the inner surfaces of the semi-cylindrical portions 42,and 45. Bearings 39 and 49 are preferably composed of brass or other material which will form a good bearing surface for cooperation with the particular metal of which the shaft 3!} is composed as for example, steel.

The wide flange portions 54 of the bearings 39: I and 46 also serve to close the end openings of the central channel formed by the inner opposed surfaces of the semi-cylindrical portions 42 and 45.

so that dust and dirt are prevented from entering therein and suitable lubricating material, preferably of a high viscosity, may be coated upon the worm shaft at the time the tilting mecha-- and 45 and enclosed between the bearings 39 and 49.

Turningnow in particular tothe cord or chain guide generally indicated by numeral 66, the same is preferably formed from sheet stock of suitable thickness and includes a body portion 6| havingv a central orifice l2, symmetrical and oppositely disposed lateral cord guides '62 and 63 and a rearwardly extending peripheral flange 64. The flanges 52 and 63 comprise pulley conforming por- The cordguide 69 is loosely disposed upon the Worm shaft 39 between the forward edges of the plates l2 and I3 and the rear pulley disc 34. The upper portions of each of the plates l2 and I3 are provided with inwardly or rearwardly extending-notches 69 and'lll respectively. Notche's 69 and T9 are so disposed that they become aligned when the plates l2 and I3 are placed together in operative position forming a locking notch ll. By reason of the large size of the orifice 72, the cord guide 69 is supported when in a vertical settle in the channel formed by the portions 42 355i 4 c: tions 65 and 66 and guiding portions 6'! and 68..

position by resting upon the'lower surface 13 of the notch ll. This position is clearly shown in Fig. 8. When the cord guide 60 is rotated through approximately ninety degrees in either direction from the vertical position shown in Fig. 8, the

cord guide 69 may be laterally or horizontally displaced so that ample clearance exists between the outer peripheral edges 14 of the pulley 38 and the pulley conforming portions 65 and 66. With 1 this clearance existing, it is a very simple matter to place an operating cord or chain (not shown); 1

into engagement with the pulley 38.

If the cord guide 69 as viewed in Fig. 2 is manually grasped and rotated through approximately ninety degrees to the left, it will appear as seen in Fig. 4 or from the rear as seen in Fig. 9. The! rotation of the cord guide 60 as just described,

causes theperipheral flange 64 to drop off of the lower surface I3 and the cord guide 60 becomes relatively unsupported. When the cord guide Gil is moved horizontally to the left the ends of the flange 6d contact the forward edge of the casing plate I3 while the central lower or inner surface of the flange 64 will contact the forward edge of the outer surface of the semi-cylindrical portion 45. Theorifioe I2 is sufliciently large so that the edge thereof does not at any time contact the shaft 3t, though it is of course possible by reducing the size of the orifice 12 to have the edge of the orifice act as a stop by abutting the shaft 30 instead of having the ends and inner or lower surfaces of the peripheral flange 64 serve as such.

To return the cord guide 6!! to its original vertical position, it is only necessary to slightly raise the same and to rotate it through ninety degrees in a direction opposite to that originally utilized. The weight of the cord lock and the fact that most of the weight is concentrated in the lower portion thereof tends to keep the same in a normal vertical or closed position. Further more when the cord or chain has been wound about the pulley 38, the weight of the hanging cord or chain acts also to keep the cord guide 653 shipped to another point for installation, and the tilter cord is placed upon the pulley 38 prior to shipment, .it may be desirable to temporarily lock the cord guide fill in its closed position. For this purpose, the lower edge 75 of the cord guide .gSfi is provided with a pair of spaced notches l6 and ll leaving a locking tab it therebetween. The tab 18 may be bent inward slightly so that the same will take a position indicated by dotted lines on Fig. 7 The tab l8 will then lie between,

the two forward edges of the casing plates I2 and I3 and will positively prevent the rotation of the cord guide Bil. When it is desired to replace'the cord after wear, or when it is desired to restore the cord guide to gravity operation, it is only necessary to bend the tab l8 forward an amount sufficient so that it clears the forward edges of the casing plates lZ-and E3.

The cord guide 66 while it is securely maintained in place by the structure described above,

,that is to say when it is locked or gravity act- 1 at any time to prevent smooth operation of the pulley 38.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5, it may be seen that this construction is in a large measure similar to the first embodiment as described, with the exception that lying in front of the body GI and rearwardly of the pulley 38 there is a locking member E9. Locking member 79 is preferably composed of a resilient material as for example, spring steel and at the upper end thereof is provided with an orifice 8B which permits the looking member E9 to be rotatably supported upon the shaft 32?. The lower end of the locking member I9 projects downwardly between the portions 5's and 58 and is thereby prevented from rotating (beyond a slight amount of play) separately from the cord guide 60. The lower portion of the locking member '59 is provided with a rearwardly extending detent 8i preferably formed integral with the member 79. The member Z9 is slightly rearwardly bent so that when the cord guide 60 is in the vertical or closed position thereof, the detent BI is adapted to lie between the forward lower edges of the plates I2 and I3. The action of the locking member I9 thus serves to prevent rotation of the cord guide 60 unless the member 719 is manually sprung forwardly and rotated. With the detent 8| becoming disengaged the entire cord guide and locking member I9 may be rotated for example to a position indicated by the dot-dash lines in Fig. 5.

The assembly of the various components into a complete mechanism is a simple and rapid procedure. The following method has been found satisfactory. The worm shaft 3!] has placed upon it, two concave discs 33 and 34 with their convex surfaces in contact and these are secured in place against the forward end or head 39 of shaft 30 by expanding the rectangular shank portion 32. The cord guide 60 is placed upon shaft 36 with the flange 54 facing away from the pulley 38. If the locking member 79 is utilized in the particular embodiment being assembled, this is placed on the shaft 38 betweenthe pulley 38 and the cord guide 60. The bearing 39; is next placed on the shaft 39 with the wide flange toward the pulley 38. The worm 3? is placed upon the shaft 3!! and forced into the desired position where it is positively engaged by the keys 36. The frictional engagement between the keys 36 and the inner bore of the worm 3'! is sufiicient to prevent both movement of the wormabout the shaft 30 and also longitudinally thereof. The bearing 4! is next placed upon the shaft 3i! with its wide flange 54 facing away from the pulley 33.

The casing plate l3 next has the gear shaft 26 placed therein with the exposed portion 23 extending in the same direction as the mounting plate 15. The gear 21 is placed upon the gear carrying portion 24 of the shaft 23. The worm shaft assembly previously described is next placed upon the casing plate I3 with the dished edges 55 of the bearings 38 and 49 in the grooves 45 and ll respectively. The casing plate i2 is next placed upon the previously assembled parts so that the dished edges 55 of the bearings 39 and 40 engage the grooves t3 and 44 respectively. The rivet I9 is placed through the orifices therefor in the upper portions of the plates l2 and I3 and is spun or pressed to form the second head and hold the plates together. The boss 2'? is then spun or swaged over thereby bringing the lower portions of the plates I2 and I3 into operative position;

When the plates i2 and i3 are in operative position, the pressure existing between said plates is sufficient to positively secure the bearings 39 and 4i! and prevent the same from turning. The casing plates also serve to properly align these hearings so that a smooth running fit is obtained for the shaft 30. Sufficient clearance exists between the two opposed inner surfaces of the semi-cylindrical portions 42 and 43 so that the worm may turn Without any interference therefrom.

It may now be seen that there has been pro- Vided a simple and efiicient tilting mechanism for Venetian blinds which is compact, sturdy, fullproof and inexpensive; and which has novel and desirable features of construction and operation. The foregoing disclosure is to be regarded as descriptive and illustrative only, and not as restricted or limitative of the invention, of which obviously an embodiment may be constructed inu cluding modifications Without departing from the general scope herein indicated and in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a Venetian blind tilting mechanism having a pulley adapted to be engaged bya flexible element such as a cord or chain: a movable 1O guide for said flexible element adapted in a first position thereof to maintain said flexible element in operative contact with said pulley, and in a second position thereof to lie spaced from said pulley whereby the flexible element may be "removed entirely from the pulley or replaced; a frame element such as a casing; means on said guide slidably supported by said frame element when the said guide is in the first position thereof; '5: 2. In a Venetian blind tilting mechanism having a pulley adapted to be engaged by a flexible element such as a cord or chain: a movable guide for said flexible element adaptedin a first position thereof to maintain said flexible ele,

I nent operative contact with said pulley, and in a second position thereof to lie spaced from said pulley whereby the flexible element may be removed entirely from the pulley or replaced; a frame element such as a casing; means on said guide slidably supported by said frameelement when the guide is in the first position thereof; said guide beingrelatively unsupported when in the second position thereof and limited in movement away from the pulley by said means eng' aging a portion of said frame element different from the portion of the frame element which supports said means when the guide is in the first position thereof.

3. In a Venetian blind tilting mechanism havinga pulley adapted to be engaged by a flexible element such as a cord or chain: a movable guide for said flexible element adapted in a closed position thereof to maintain said flexible element in operative connection with said pulley,

said pulley whereby the flexible element may be and in an open position thereof to lie spaced from 4. In a Venetian blind tilting mechanism having a pulley adapted to be engaged by a flexible element such as a cord or chain: a movable guide element having lateral guiding flanges extending forwardly therefrom and a rearwardly extending peripheral flange, said guide element and said lateral guiding flanges being adapted in the closed position thereof to maintain said flexible element in operative engagement with said pulley and in an open position thereof to have the lateral guiding flanges spaced from said pulley whereby the flexible element may be reelement such as a cord or chain: a movable guide for said flexible element adapted in a first position thereof to maintain said flexible element in operative contact with said pulley, and in a second position thereof to lie spaced from said pulley whereby the flexible element may be removed entirely from the pulley or replaced; a frame element such as a casing; first means associated with said guide and movable therewith, and adapted to engage said frame element and thereby to maintain the guide in the first position thereof; second means on said guide slidably supported by said frame element when the guide is in the first position thereof.

6. In a Venetian blind tilting mechanism having a pulley adapted to be engaged by a flexible element such as a cord or chain: a movable guide for said flexible element adapted in a first position thereof to maintain said flexible 'ele-' ment in operative contact with said pulley, and

in a second position thereof to lie spaced from said pulley whereby the flexible element may be removed entirely from the pulley or replaced; a frame element such as a casing; first means on said guide slidably supported by said frame element when the guide is in the first position thereof; and second means associated with said guide and movable therewith, adapted to engage resiliently said frame element and thereby to maintain the guide in the first position thereof.

J ULES NISEN SON. 

